There was no mistaking David's attitude toward this dainty, bewitching comrade of those troublous, trying days. The whole company saw, approved, and was delighted. Joey alone spoke to him of what was in the minds of all. "Jacky," he said one blustering evening, "I see how it is with you now; but is it going to endure? Don't blush, my lad, and don't flare up. We all know you're terrible took with 'er. It's nothink to be ashamed of. Wot I'm going to say is this. She's a puffect child yet and you are still a schoolboy. Are you going to be man enough when you gets older and more mature-like to stick by this 'ere puppy love that means so much to 'er now? Are you going to love 'er allus, just as I dessay you'll find she will do by you?" "But--but Joey," stammered David in confusion--"she doesn't care for me in that way." Joey closed one eye and puffed thrice at his pipe. "Jacky, it's not to your credit as a gentleman to be so blooming stupid." "She's so very young," murmured David. "Well, love grows up, my lad, just the same as folks does," said the old clown wisely. "If--if I thought she'd love me when she's old enough to--" began David, his eyes gleaming. He stopped there, confused and awkward. Joey eyed him. "You mean by that, that you'd go so far as to marry 'er?" David flushed. Then his eyes flashed with resentment: "See here, Joey, that's not the way to speak of her. She's a lady. She's not a--" He checked himself suddenly. "Virginians are very 'igh and mighty pussons, I've been told," said Joey, leading him on with considerable adroitness. "Perhaps you have also been told that we require no lessons in chivalry," announced David, somewhat pompously. Joey chuckled softly. "Don't get 'uffy, Jacky. Let's get back to the fust subject. 'Ow is it going to be with you two when you've really growed up? You're a couple of babes in the woods just now." David was silent for a moment. Then he faced the old clown proudly. "She's perfect, Joey; she's wonderful. I expect to love her always. When she's old enough, I am going to ask her to be my wife." "Provided you escape the gallows," remarked Joey sententiously. "Yes," said the boy, setting his jaw, but turning very white. "But she knows I am innocent. Even though I should always live under this shadow, and under another name, I would not feel that I was doing her a wrong in asking her to share my lot with me. Nothing could be worse than what she has to bear now. But, Joey," he concluded firmly, "I am going to clear my name, as sure as I live." The old clown nodded his head, eyed his _protege_ furtively and lovingly, and lapsed into silence. For a long time neither spoke. It was David who broke the strain. "Joey, I wonder if you know how much Dick Cronk loves Ruby?" He put the question tentatively. "I do," responded Joey promptly. "He loves her so much and so honestly that he won't tell 'er about it." "I feel very sorry for him."